50mm f/1.4: The lens your Canon camera would like to have

The 50mm f/1.4 is Mario’s favorite lens, the one he dubbed the King of Lenses and the one I’m here to talk about today specifically for the Canon brand. By the way, if you are a Canonist, surely this mega Canon guide that we have published on the blog for you can help you answer any questions you have or understand more about the particularities of the brand and its products.

And it is that each brand has its own terminology and its characteristics that you have to know when you are a user. Surely it has ever happened to you that you have gone to buy a lens and you have started to see numbers and acronyms and you had no idea what they meant or why one was worth twice as much if it only differed in a small letter or they seemed the same. That is the reason for today’s article, to tell you the secrets of the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens. Now, if you’re looking for information on goals in general and recommendations, this is what you’re looking for.

To convince you why he’s so fantastic, we’ve got an article dedicated to the King of Goals. Today I’m just going to tell you that:

• It captures images similar to those of human vision (in terms of distortions) and with a focal length that is very versatile, whether for travel photography, street photography, portraits or even landscapes.
• It is a fixed lens that offers excellent sharpness.
• It is a very bright lens, which allows you to photograph in low light environments, as well as to achieve impressive blurs.

Interesting, right? Are you already feeling like it?

Now, as I see that I have aroused your interest, we are going to focus on the aspects that you should know about this Canon 50mm f/1.4.

Canon 50mm f/1.4 mount

Although we are talking about Canon, not all Canon lenses are compatible with all Canon cameras. Each type of camera has a different mount, so you have to find the one that matches yours. In the blog we have this tool to check compatibility of Canon lenses, even so I’ll give you a brief summary:

• Mount EF: They are circled in red and are for full-frame EOS cameras (full-frame SLRs), although they are also suitable for APS-C format SLRs.
• Mount EF-S: Represented by a white square and are for EOS with APS-C sensor (SLRs that are not full frame). They are not valid for full frame cameras.
• Mount EF-M: with white circle, they are for EVIL (mirrorless cameras) with APS-C sensor.
• Mount RF: with a red stripe they are for EVIL or full format mirrorles.

Therefore, this is the first fact that you should take into account when buying your lens. If it’s not compatible, it won’t do you any good.

And what if you have an EOS M camera and there is no 50mm f/1.4 lens for this mount? You have the option of the EF to EOS M mount lens adapter. That is, you can use a lens suitable for EF and EF-S mounts on EOS M mount cameras by using this adapter.

Now we are going to see other aspects that are important but not so much, because being compatible, they will serve you, it is already a matter of tastes or needs 😉.

Canon 50mm Apertures

We are talking about the “king” that has an f/1.4 aperture. Many times you ask why there is such a difference in price between f/1.8 and f/1.4, for example, if there is only one step difference. The answer is that, in addition to other differences that we will see shortly, this step is double the light input.

Worth? Yes always? No. You have to assess your budget and your needs. I have the 50mm f/1.8 and I’m happier than a clam with it. If the difference is in having it or not having it because the budget does not reach you, do not hesitate, buy the “prince of the objectives”.

Now, if you tell me you can afford it, go ahead, don’t think about it. Or if you want to go one step further and launch yourself into professional photography, then invest, make an effort and make this investment. Even if you have to wait a little longer.

In this video (in English) he makes a comparison of both:

And at the pro level, there is the 50mm f/1.2, which is more oriented towards professionals, mainly because its price is out of the pocket of an amateur (it costs more than many SLRs, including mine 😅).

Other differences between the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.8

As I told you before, the passage of light from f/1.8 to f/1.4 is not the only difference. The focus motor is different, as well as the number of elements with which it is built or the diaphragm sheets that determine the quality of the bokeh.

Differences between Canon’s 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.8

And now we are going to see a photograph taken with each of them:

• EF50mm f/1.8 STM
• EF50mm f/1.4 USM

What does STM or USM mean at Canon?

Next to any Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens you will find the acronym STM or USM. This indicates the type of focus motor they have built in:

• STM. Focus quietly and more smoothly. Which makes them very suitable for video.
• USM. It is the most common and the fastest when it comes to focusing.

If you put Nano USM, it is the most modern focusing system to date and combines the best of the previous ones. If you do not put anything, it is the DC system, something older and more conventional, it focuses automatically but not with the same speed and precision as these three.

50mm focal length

We’re all the time talking about the 50mm focal length, but do you know what that means? The focal length, although it has a more technical definition, comes to represent the angle of view that the lens is capable of capturing. For you to see it more clearly I leave you this graph.

As you can see, the 50mm corresponds to a Standard lens. This viewing angle of approximately 45º allows great versatility. That is, it is used for many types of photography. If you had to choose only one fixed lens, this would be the one I would recommend. If you like portraits, details, social photography, travel or street photography, for example, it’s perfect.

What happens if I attach the 50mm to an APS-C format camera?

On Canon cameras with a crop factor, the equivalent distance is not 50mm but approximately 80mm. This implies that you get closer to the scene, but the type of vision is the same, it does not affect the distortions or aberrations due to the type of more or less angular optics or the type of blur.

To learn more about the conversion or cropping factor, we have this article where we explain it in more detail.

What if I want a 50mm equivalent focal length but have an APS-C camera?

If you want a 50mm equivalent focal length but have an APS-C format camera, it’s best to get a 35mm, which on a Canon APS-C is equivalent to approx. 56mm. For example:

• YongnuoYN35MM. Maximum f/2.0 aperture, EF mount (suitable for APS-C and full frame format), with image stabilizer. Great value for the price.
• Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM. Also for EF mount, with the same aperture and image stabilizer, but a very different price. For more demanding photographers who need faster focus and who prefer a Canon brand lens.
• Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM. Only for SLR with APS-C format, which lowers the price of the previous one.
• Sigma 30mm / F 1.4 DC / HSM. Also for SLRs with APS-C format is this Sigma whose equivalent focal length is 48mm.
• Meike 35mm F1.7 Lens. EF-M (APS-C format EVIL) mount, 1.7 maximum aperture, this compatible brand lens is really affordable.

Canon 50mm f/1.4 lenses

• EF mount: remember, valid for SLR full frame and APS-C we have the EF50mm f/1.4 USM for a price of N/A With very fast and silent focus. It is also compatible with EOS M using the adapter.

Canon compatible 50mm f/1.4 lenses

In addition to those of the brand itself, there are lenses from other brands that are compatible with Canon, in this case we have one that stands out among canonists, it is a lens that does not disappoint the most demanding.

• Sigma 50mm DG HSM Art (EF mount). A high-end lens with image stabilizer and hypersonic motor, 9 diaphragm blades and offering impressive quality.

Portrait shot with a Sigma 50mm DG HSM Art lens

50mm f/1.8 lenses for Canon

There are Canon brand or compatible. They are the following.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

• EF mount: valid for SLR full frame and APS-C (and with EF-M using adapter) we have the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for an approximate price of 170 euros. Smooth and silent focus, with f/22 minimum aperture and 49mm filter diameter, its dimensions are 69.2 x 39.3mm and its weight is 159g. You can more features in the table above.

Portrait shot with the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens

You may come across a second-hand EF50mm f/1.8 II (note that it has a “II” instead of the STM). They can be very similar but there are some differences, such as the focus motor (the model with STM is better), that it only has 5 diaphragm blades (7 in the STM) and that the minimum focus distance is 0.45m instead of 0.35 offered by the one currently on the market. It’s the one I have, in the article where I talk about my equipment you can see some example photos and the use I give it.

• RF mount: for mirrorless or full frame EVIL there is the Canon lens RF 50mm F1.8 STM what does it cost N/A. With STM motor, 6 elements in 5 groups, 7 blades, minimum opening f/22, 43mm filter diameter and dimensions 69.2 x 40.5 and 160g. Here’s another example taken with this lens courtesy of Canon.

RF 50mm F1.8 STM

Canon compatible 50mm f/1.8 lenses

These are other Canon compatible lenses that you can find with this focal length and aperture:

• YONGNUO 50mm f/1.8: 6 lens elements in 5 groups, 0.45m closest focusing distance, f/1.8-f/22 aperture, 52mm filter thread, 73 x 55mm size and 120g. For EF mount.